Neighborhood Boards are for busybodies, whiners, and otherwise unstable people.

It's a commonly held notion, given Proposal #30 made by a private citizen on October 22, 2015. Sadly, a small part of me believes it is true, although not for any reason that criticizes the individuals that tirelessly serve on it, nor because I believe that there is anything inherently wrong with those that seek a more grassroots community.

From the start, the intention was for the betterment of kama'aina. In fact, it was voters that decided in 1973 to form neighborhood boards. Yet somehow, on June 9 of this year, a meeting was to be held to discuss eliminating these very boards altogether. [Proposed Agenda]

A little sleuthing (well -- given the state of the NCO website -- a lot of sleuthing) has uncovered that the initial suggestion of board elimination was brought about by Proposal #30 and acted upon by the Neighborhood Board Commission. I am admittely a bit of a democracy voyeur when it comes to reading these documents first-hand. I excerpt some of my favorite lines from the proposal here:

I request the Charter Commission to research board membership . . .[and] consider the individuals who are voted to the boards. I believe some have mental issues, like there was one board member who claimed he was a law enforcement professional but admitted his police application was rejected, but since he always wanted to be a police officer, that was his profession.

I believe it is a waste of resources to have police and fire officials, who are required to attend, provide reports, many times giving common sense reports like, "turn pot handles away from the front of the stove". . .

Ultimately, this citizen suggested eliminating the neighborhood boards altogether. This suggestion somehow found its way through a special committee of the Neighborhood Board Commission, which in turn -- without ever having consulted elected Neighborhood Board Members -- opted to hold a special meeting to discuss putting it on a ballot for citizen vote.

This is where the whole process takes a somewhat Kafkaesque turn. On one hand, a portion of hearing the citizen voice worked. After all, it was a private citizen who asked for the matter to be taken up. And to this citizen's credit, there were some very valid points made, including, "Over the years, interest in these boards have dwindled where several boards do not have a sufficient number of members to even make a quorum. Another problem has been that through interpretation, the boards have expanded their advisory role to voice concerns directly related to pure state issues. Boards have also directly interfered with private matters and one board was sued."

However, in this very spirit of democracy, a singular citizen voice needs wider validation before being applied to all. It was a referendum that brought about the boards. Only a community vote could be applied to remove it. Thankfully, the meeting to discuss board elimination was postponed indefinitely. It doesn't take a genius to see that no one is going to vote to eliminate these boards that might one day be useful to them, even if they've never been to a meeting in their lifetime.

Returning to the Charter Commission's agenda however, it was not necessarily their intent to remove citizen voice. The higher calling from a May 16 meeting was the question of: “Should the City increase citizen participation in the decision of government though the use of electronic communication, such as television, Internet, and email, and eliminate the Neighborhood Board System?"

It's an interesting proposal -- one that they've shown no proficiency in to date. 1. They put out the proposal on a site prohibiting robots, the ones that index the web so that others can search it. 2. They changed the link so that there is no permanent record of it existing, and 3. No one put so much as a courtesy advance communication out to ANY of the neighborhood boards so that they knew this October 22, 2015 proposal was in the pipeline.

It's really the third sin that gets me hot under the collar. In any case, it's pretty clear that citizens should reject the idea of board elimination until we find a better solution for broad community input.

As for the initial idea that boards are made up of individuals that defy the definition of an average citizen -- it's true, and for both positive and less positive reasons. I can rattle off a list of bizarre interactions that have taken place -- and that's just from reading the minutes, not having actually attended. Yet, at the same time, I can also cite proactive interactions that won't cross your radar because the issue was taken care of before it became a bigger issue. Just remember, “It has been said that democracy is the worst form of government, except all those others that have been tried.”

CALLS FOR IMPROVED SAFETY ON KALANIANAOLE

Pedestrian crosswalks along busy Kalanianaole Highway are meant to be a convenience for pedestrians. But do they think so?. . .The concern comes after a woman was hit by two vehicles while attempting to cross the highway during her morning jog. She was pronounced dead at the scene. (source:KHON2)

Traffic was backed up for hours on Friday, June 19, as investigators closed down multiple lanes of the highway to investigate.

HAWAII KAI NEIGHBORHOOD BOARD MAY 2015 MINUTES

Hawaii Kai Neighborhood Board meeting minutes for May 2015 have been published. Notable discussions involved the volume and composition of dumping at the proposed cemetery site, changes to ownership at Koko Head Stables, proposed changes to parking at the corner of Keahole St. and Hawaii Kai Drive fronting the wetlands, proposed wireless tower sites, and proposed changes to the Maunalua Bay designation by NOAA, a federal agency.

KAIMUKI NEIGHBORHOOD BOARD MAY 2015 SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES - ZONING

Kaimuki Neighborhood Board meeting minutes for May 2015 have been published. Special meeting discussion centered on zoning, in particular, Permitted Action Group formation, creation of a special district and the possibility of designating Transit Oriented Development for the area.

hmsa kaimana scholarship awardees announced

Hawaii Medical Service Association (HMSA) announced winners of its 2015 Kaimana scholarship program. Nina Bean of Kaimuki High School was one of 15 scholars selected. Miss Bean lettered in cross country, track, and wrestling for the Bulldogs. She competed on the state level in wrestling and finished third in the state in pole vaulting. She’s dedicated her high school years to volunteering in activities that promote environmental conservation, restoration, and cultural awareness through such organizations as Kupu Hawaii and the Hawaii Youth Conservation Corps. This valedictorian intends to use her 29 already earned college credits to study marine biology at the University of Hawaii Manoa.

Six junior ambassadors to japan prepare for july visit

Six Junior Ambassadors, including Luke Cisneros of Aina Haina Elementary, continue to prepare for their visit to Fukuoka Japan. The group, selected on February 7, represents the Japan America Society of Hawaii. The Japan America Society of Hawaii is sponsoring these fifth and sixth graders to represent Hawaii as JASH Junior Ambassadors (JAs) at the 27th Asian-Pacific Children’s Convention (APCC), which will be held in Fukuoka, Japan, from July 9 - 22, 2015. A total of 232 children from 45 countries and cities throughout the Asia-Pacific region have been invited to participate this year.

Man released in murder case is arrested on suspicion of robbery; Man freed in stabbing case jailed in breach of park hours

June 11- Police on Thursday arrested Gary Landis, who was released June 3 from police custody in the stabbing death of an 80-year-old newspaper vendor, on suspicion of trying to rob a 75-year-old woman in Honolulu.

Police arrested at 10:48 a.m. Landis, who has no local address, was arrested at an Ala Moana Boulevard address at 10:48 a.m. Thursday on suspicion of first-degree robbery.

On June 5, Landis was arrested at 2:15 a.m. and cited for being at Kapiolani Park after it closed.

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June 06 - Gary L. Landis was released from custody earlier this week as police continued to investigate the stabbing death of a 70-year-old newspaper vendor in November, but Landis was back in jail again Friday.

Just 32 hours after being released without being charged in the death of Thaddeus "Ted" Pirga Jr. of Hawaii Kai on Nov. 9 on Wai­alae Avenue, Landis was cited and arrested at 2:15 a.m. Friday for allegedly being in Kapiolani Park after it closed at midnight.

food news: central bakery opens in kahala

Someone pinch me. Beyond chasing after Chris Sy, Honolulu finally has a permanent spot for world-class breads with the arrival of Central Bakery in Kahala in the former Kahala Moon/Wahoo’s space next to Olive Tree Cafe.

Bread lovers will rejoice, but so will diners. The name doesn’t reflect that Central Bakery is also a full restaurant serving Italian- and French-style cuisine, with a hint of its Japan roots. . .

Central Bakery is at 4614 Kilauea Ave. Current hours are 5 to 10 p.m. Monday to Saturday; lunch and brunch service are expected to start at the end of the month. The cost of dinner is about $60 to $80 for two without drinks. Call (808) 777-6700.

elderly couple pulled from burning kaimuki home by neighbors

Family rushed to the home after getting word of what happened while medics treated the couple for smoke inhalation. Neighbors took a step back not wanting recognition just grateful everyone was safe. "Oh my goodness I was sitting here praying giving thanks. It could have been anyone of us," said Mrs. Adams. [Read more at Hawaii News Now]

State health officials fail to take action against Kaimuki squalor home

The Hawaii News Now video opens along the banks of Kapalama Canal, where homeless are being displaced and their belongings cleared. The video changes locations to Kaimuki, where neighbors can't get local government to clear a home infested with rodents and roaches, and where they say the owner hasn't occupied the residence in months.

Excerpt from the website:

A house of squalor in Kaimuki remains untouched with heaps of trash fouling up the neighborhood. Neighbors are in disbelief, wondering what it takes to get help from anyone in the government. City and state officials are well aware of that property where the yard is piled so high with junk you can barely see the home. State officials said its Sanitation Branch had not received any complaints about the home on 2nd Avenue. But one neighbor said she has kept a record of each time she called the state and the city which dates back to 2004. [read more and watch the video at Hawaii News Now]

state feels paris' pain on [makapu'u] love locks

On any given day, padlocks appear on the rusted, mesh-link fence at the highest lookout on the Makapuu Lighthouse Trail in east Oahu.

Sometimes, a dozen or more of these "love locks," which are meant to express sentiments of love or commitment, pop up during the week, despite a sign informing the public that they will be removed. There are locks of all shapes, colors and sizes, some inscribed or marked with couple's names and a date, others left blank.

They are part of a problem that stretches from Makapuu to Paris. The love locks became a serious problem for the Pont des Arts bridge in Paris when a chunk of fencing fell under the weight of the locks last summer. City workers in Paris began removing 45 tons of locks last week to prevent long-term damage to the historical bridge.

While the custom seems to have originated in Europe -- some believe it exploded in popularity after a film adaptation of an Italian book entitled "I Want You" in 2007 -- the trend is now worldwide.

kaimuki grad '01 ruthie ann miles wins Tony for “Best Featured Actress in a Musical”

The 69th-annual Tony Awards were handed out in New York Sunday evening, and one of them went to a local O’ahu girl! Ruthie Ann Miles in her Broadway debut won the Tony for “Best Featured Actress in a Musical.” That’s for her role in the Broadway revival of the classic “The King and I.”

Kaiser high football standout michael eletise narrows choice from 41 to 10

After months of being a prized prospect in the eyes of universities from Hawaii to the East Coast, Michael Eletise of Kaiser High School has narrowed his list of 41 BCS offers and one Division II offer to 10 schools.

Koko Crater Stables dying slow death at hands of perplexing city decisions

[T]imes have been difficult for KCS [Koko Crater Stables] in recent years, with the loss of the horseback riding trail and the age-related deterioration of the barns on the property.

Issues include the city's denial of the 2-mile horseback trail ride in Koko Crater and the forbidding of designated stables staff to live 24/7 on the grounds cottage, which had been placed there decades ago. . .

Other concerns such as horse manure (which the gardens could use) and erosion could be mitigated with community kuleana in the crater and soil conservation best-management practices. . .

Regarding the cottage that has been used by KCS staff for decades, the city offers no explanation other than to say that the cottage is no longer part of the contract. Hence, it is no longer available for use. This prevents KCS from having staff present 24/7 to monitor the horses. . .

bruno mars PORTLOCK HOME sold for $2.7m

Grammy-winning singer Bruno Mars, who bought a tricked-out estate in the Fryman Canyon area last year, has sold a Balinese-inspired home in the eastern part of Honolulu for $2.7 million. . .

The nearly one-third-acre property came on the market last year for $3.5 million and was more recently priced at $2.995 million, records show. Mars, whose real name is Peter Gene Hernandez, bought the house from John Browning, heir to the Browning firearms company, in 2012 for $3.1 million.

interview with stacey aldrich, new state librarian and hawaii kai resident

The June 5 "Honolulu Star-Advertiser Mark Coleman Column" features Stacey Aldrich, new State Librarian and recent Pennsylvania to Hawaii Kai transplant. Aldrich assumed her new role on April 6. She speaks with Mark Coleman to great length, discussing changes, both professional and personal, as well as highlighting the many services of our state system public libraries: an excellent read. To see the unabridged interview, go to -- you guessed it -- the Hawaii State Library database, online. (clicking the link above and entering your library card # and PIN will take you there)

Pacific Business News confirms what many of us suspected long ago. After seeing Auntie Pasto restaurant signs go up at the Aina Haina Shopping Center nearly a year ago, then seeing them removed with virtually no construction taking place, it's true; Auntie Pasto's restaurant will not be occupying the space.

Alleged fraud has trial set for August

A 58-year-old Aina Haina woman who allegedly used stolen credit cards to make thousands of dollars in fraudulent purchases at upscale retailers over a six-month period is being held in lieu of $500,000 bail.

Kathleen Watanabe entered a plea of not guilty Thursday to a total of 23 counts of first-degree theft, first-degree identity theft, second-degree theft, second-degree identity theft, fraudulent use of a credit card, and unauthorized possession of confidential personal information.

Police said they investigated several cases of credit card fraud reported Nov. 21 to March 2 by three women.

At Watanabe's arraignment in Circuit Court, Judge Richard Perkins scheduled her trial for the week of Aug. 3 and assigned Circuit Judge Karen Ahn to the case. Watanabe is being held at the Oahu Community Correctional Center.

An Oahu grand jury indicted Watanabe last week. Police arrested her May 21 at her home.

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Weekly Friday news summary for East Oahu and Hawaii Kai. Full text of these excerpts is available through the web. Where access is granted to the public, there is a link. Due to the quantity of news stories, there is also a Tuesday June 2, 2015 supplement to this week's news.

Suspect in stabbing of Kaimuki newspaper vendor released

A 30-year-old man arrested in connection with the fatal stabbing of a 70-year-old man who sold newspapers in Kaimuki was released, pending further investigation. Honolulu police arrested Gary Lee Landis Tuesday on suspicion of murder in the death of Thaddeus “Ted” Pirga Jr., of Hawaii Kai, in November. Police released Landis Wednesday, He was not charged.

Brush fire closes kalanianaole near makapuu in afternoon hours

The initial call came in at 2:43 p.m. Ten [fire] companies with 32 personnel responded. The closure was in effect between Alan Davis Beach and Sea Life Park until about 5:15 p.m. Wednesday. It was 100 percent contained by 6:30 p.m. No one was injured and no damage was reported.

PV Panels to go up again at Aina Haina Library

Paying for solar -- twice! It may not sound very book-smart, but that is what the state has done at one of its libraries.

. . .it seemed like a bright idea four years ago to put photovoltaic panels on the library roof until windy weather blew in last year. "We had an accident where a couple of panels flew off the roof. Luckily no one got hurt, but it led to an inspection and they deemed the system to be unsafe," said [Keith] Fujio, [assistant to the state librarian].

Some of the rack mounting materials were found to be defective, and the panels came down. They have stayed down for more than a year because there has also been a problem getting them fixed.

"We tried to go back to the original contractor, and they are no longer in business," said Fujio.

While the state waits to recover what it can from the contractor's insurer, it has decided to put PV panels back up at the library.

A whole new system will cost an $280,000. That is on top of the $590,000 the state paid back in 2011 for roof repairs and the initial photovoltaic system.

Police arrest man, 30, in Kaimuki fatal stabbing

A 30-year-old man was arrested Tuesday in connection with the fatal stabbing of a 70-year-old man who sold newspapers in Kaimuki.

Honolulu police arrested Gary Lee Landis at 11:15 a.m. on suspicion of murder in the death of Thaddeus “Ted” Pirga Jr., of Hawaii Kai, according to a news release from CrimeStoppers and the Honolulu Police Department. Charges against Landis are pending.

Pirga, a retired welder and popular seller of the Sunday Honolulu Star-Advertiser in Kai­muki, died Nov. 9 after he was stabbed while at his post in front of Cafe Miro on Wai­alae Avenue.

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Tuesday news supplement for East Oahu and Hawaii Kai. Full text of these excerpts is available through the web. Where access is granted to the public, there is a link. Regular updates are issued Friday. This supplement was created due to the larger than normal amount of local news items.

The participating families at these three schools combined saved a total of $43,600 on their electric bills from Oct. 2014 through March 2015.. . . The Home Energy Challenge is an educational partnership between the State Department of Education, participating elementary schools, and Hawaiian Electric.

For schools interested in participating next year, applications for the 2015-16 Home Energy Challenge will be sent to all Oahu public elementary schools this summer. Interested schools can call Ms. Sam Nichols at 543-7511 for more information.

Hawaii Kai cemetery may finally be built, despite concerns

It has been more than a decade since the city approved the building of a cemetery in Hawaii Kai. Those plans haven't gone anywhere since then, but work has begun once again, and that has some Hawaii Kai residents concerned.

[Hawaii Kai Memorial Park LLC Attorney William] McCorriston said the owners have applied for a business license from the state and a master grading permit. If those are approved, construction could finally began later this year.

Feral Chickens in EAST OAHU? you don't say?

KITV reports that you can find feral chickens on St. Louis Heights. You can also find feral chickens at Kahala Zippys. Kapiolani Community College has become so frustrated by the noise, they're even attempting to trap the chickens. The takeaway?

"You don't need a permit to trap wild chickens. The public is being asked to help manage the feral chicken population if they have them on their property."

KITV has posted a 2 1/2 minute video to go along with the story. Click the link above to view the page.

For-profit exercise classes not authorized at city parks; Hiking tours at hanauma bay "eligible to be permitted"

Question: As a frequent Ala Moana Beach Park user, I've noticed more exercise groups using the park. Some are small but others have over 20 people. According to an article in the Star-Advertiser, people are paying to participate in these exercises. Are they regulated in any way? Does this mean mobile car detailing or portable massage businesses can also use the park?

Answer: If people are paying to take part in the exercise classes, it is not an authorized park use.

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If no money is solicited or given, under current rules, groups of fewer than 50 people can gather in city parks without a permit, said Jon Hennington, spokesman for the Department of Parks and Recreation. "This is the same limit that applies to picnics," he said. "As long as the group does not solicit the public and does not require exclusive use of an area of the park, no permit is required." For any kind of commercial activity to take place in any of its parks, the Parks Department requires a public hearing. . .He explained that a public hearing is required before a decision is made to authorize commercial activities of a "particular type."

Among the commercial activities "eligible to be permitted" are filming, hiking tours at Hanauma Bay, scuba, snorkeling, swimming, tour companies and windsurfing, Hennington said. "This does not mean, however, that any or all of these activities are eligible for a commercial use permit at a given park," he said. Meanwhile, craft fairs and art marts sponsored by nonprofit organizations are eligible for permits. To find out more about commercial activities at city parks, go to bit.ly/1HV9wKa.

[To read full article, click link above and enter your Hawaii State library card # and PIN, or subscribe to the Star-Advertiser]

Crews Rescue Sailboat Twice in East Oahu

Honolulu firefighters were called to help a sailboat that got into trouble [off "of Sandy Beach] twice Friday night in East Oahu. . .[the second time the boat overturned]. , , HFD decided to tow the boat to shore.

Kaimuki business gets liquor license despite opposition

WZ Family Entertainment Center opened its doors on Waialae Avenue last year. Thursday night, the Honolulu Liquor Commission granted WZ's request for a liquor license. . .But the chairman of the Kaimuki Neighborhood Board said a family fun center serving alcohol doesn't fit Kaimuki's culture of mom and pop shops.

20 Kaimuki business owners signed a petition [opposing the liquor license.]

Mylar balloon shuts down power at aina haina elementary

Please be aware that [May 28] after school, a single, stray mylar balloon flew in to one of the electrical poles on the mauka side of campus causing a campus wide power outage and a fuse blow out on the high voltage pole. HFD and HECO needed to be called and worked over two hours on being sure the campus was safe and that power was restored. This is a great learning opportunity regarding potential consequences to electrical and building infrastructure when coupled with mylar balloons. We ask everyone to please consider other types of celebratory items during the graduation season which includes our own Grade 5 celebration on Tuesday. Thank you for attention to our school and community safety efforts.

From noted journalist Ian Lind's blog, a thoughtful, insightful & nostalgic piece, excerpted here. The full article is available on his website, link provided above.

. . .My first thought–I should attend. I was, after all, there at the beginning. I entered the 2nd grade at Kahala School when it first opened in 1954. . .

I decided that I would just drop in, not for lunch, but to look around the school and see what it’s like after all this time. . .

My introduction went something like this: “I’m don’t have a reservation and don’t plan on having lunch, but I was a student here the first year the school opened, and I hope I can just look around a bit.”

I quickly got the idea that I was perhaps the only student from the school’s first year to be present for the 60th anniversary. I was introduced to the principal, and warmly welcomed to make myself at home. . .

Kaimuki High School inducts inaugural Hall of Honor class

Kaimuki High School inducted three graduates during its first-ever Hall of Honor ceremony Tuesday.

U.S. Sen. Mazie Hirono (’66), U.S. Attorney Florence Nakakuni (’70) and ukulele performer Jake Shimabukuro (’94) were honored for their achievements and contributions to the community. . .Graduates are eligible to be nominated 10 years or more after their date of high school graduation.

The Maui Jim Molokai Challenge surfski event, from Kaluakoi, Molokai to Hawaii Kai, will take place Saturday [May 30, 2015] starting at 8:30 a.m. The Kanaka Ikaika Racing Association event, which has a $15,000 purse, will also have an OC-1 solo division and stand-up paddleboard relay division. . .The first finishers are expected to complete the race at around 1:45 p.m.

Thank you for joining us at the 10th annual Hawaii Kai Dog Walk on June 1, 2014. As it turns out, this was to be our last dog walk. . .

As a reminder of the continuous effort needed by the community, the non-profit volunteer group writes from their May 2015 Newsletter:

[Hawaii Kai Dog] Park users have probably noticed the two new drinking fountains near the front entrance, one in the big park and one in the small dog park, which were installed by the Department of Parks & Recreation (DPR). With DPR’s permission, Hui 'Ilio Hawai'i installed anchored bowl holders under the dog faucets to keep the water bowls in place. . .

On Sunday, May 3rd, we closed the park for the entire day to accomplish a number of maintenance projects. Most notably, we had a huge pile of dirt (provided by DPR) to be moved under the fence line and around the benches to fill in depleted areas caused by erosion and digging dogs. Thanks to the assistance of local Boy Scout Troop 101 and some of their family members, the dirt was moved in record time. The troop also planted grass seed in the new soil, and raked and watered. . .

As we continue to strive for park user involvement in maintaining a beautiful community dog park, please remember that the poop bag dispensers are only filled if EVERYONE pitches in and brings recycled bags to fill the dispensers. Oftentimes we have run out of recycled bags and have purchased new bags to fill the dispensers, but that will not be happening in the future. Through the generosity of Petco, we will be adding a new poop bag dispenser on the fence between the small dog park and big dog park. Petco has committed to provide refill bags for this dispenser. Please be aware that this particular dispenser will not get replenished every day. We will continue to need recycled bags in the other dispensers to supplement Petco’s generous donations. . .

Hui 'Ilio Hawai'i is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation that was established to promote public dog parks and to promote responsible dog ownership. Its officers and directors receive no compensation. Activities of the organization are carried out with the help of volunteers and sponsors. Our first objective was to make the Hawai'i Kai Dog Park a reality. Now that the park is open, we help to support it through the City’s Adopt-a -Park program. We also reach out to help other dog groups who are trying to establish dog parks in their respective communities.

Kahala renaissance

. . .A transformation has been gradually spreading since [Gensiro] Kawamoto relinquished 30 residential properties 18 months ago on the prestigious Oahu street lined with mansions and historic million-dollar homes. Among new owners of former Kawamoto properties are a professional poker player, a contractor and a waste management business owner from Hawaii, along with South Korea's wealthiest person, a Russian, a car-racing money manager from Michigan and an Australian billionaire. The new owners are pumping millions of dollars into construction and landscaping. To date, 20 of the 30 parcels that local real estate investment firm Alexander & Baldwin Inc. acquired in bulk from Kawamoto in late 2013 have been resold for more than $100 million, including two deals in escrow. . .

[Note: The full article contains 4 full-color photographs and is approx. 30 paragraphs long. Click the Star-Advertiser link in title and enter your Hawaii State Library Card and PIN # to access.]

kaiser high school elects to begin july 30, 2015; Classes Start July 31

Although the Department of Education school year for students begins July 29, 2015, Kaiser Complex schools will take a teacher work day on July 29th and Kaiser will begin the school year on July 30 with student registration. The first full day of Kaiser classes will be July 31. On July 30, students who had not prepaid their dues must complete the registration process and pick up their final schedules in the school cafeteria. Draft schedules are available earlier, from June 15, in the Registrar's Office.

Please contact school directly at Kaiser_HS [at] notes.k12.hi.us for clarification and updates.

[KAISER HIGH SCHOOL'S EDEN] Kai eyes L.A. after Brown Bags win

BY ERIN SMITH / Special to the Star-Advertiser Honolulu Pulse[Honolulu, Hawaii] 20 May 2015.

What the future holds, we’ll never know. But after watching this year’s winner, 16-year-old Kaiser High School student Eden Kai, I couldn’t help but draw a comparison between his and Shimabukuro’s virtuoso performance styles.

The kid is good.

Kai performed a song on guitar that he had written for the Brown Bags to Stardom competition, “Beautiful Stars,” and he tore it up. He has a fluidity of playing and a skill level far beyond his 16 years. [read all of Erin Smith's rave article here]

New law targeting hoarders not enforced in Kaimuki

, , city records show the resident had racked up nearly $191,700 in property violations. Neighbors say she's mentally ill and her condition has worsened since her parents died years ago. Meantime, homeless people have been rummaging through these belongings that have spilled out into the front yard even on the sidewalk. "There was even legislation written specifically as a result of this regarding hoarding. Nothing has been done," said Environmental activist Carrol Cox. Cox is referring to Bill 52, which passed last December giving the city the power to clear junk like this from private property. . .[click HawaiiNewsNow link to see full article]

Niu Valley Middle School, Sacred Hearts and Kaimuki Christian were category winners at ‘Ōlelo Community Media’s 2015 Youth Xchange Statewide Student Video Competition.Niu Valley Middle Schoolwon the Creating Peace category, Middle School division for its short video, "Stop Bullying." Sacred Hearts won with "Stop Forest Fires" in the Forest Health in Hawaii category and “Hula Ki`i: Hula Puppets” in the Mini-Documentary category; Kaimuki Christian won with “Focus In Class But Not At The Clock” in the Start Healthy Living category, High School division.

Congratulations to our East Oahu schools for their outstanding work. A full catalog of entries and recognition is available through this link to Olelo's website.

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EastOahu96825 is a website focused on the Hawaii Kai Neighborhood. Articles of interest include nearby free and low-cost events, local fundraisers, Costco shopping, and my trials and tribulations in learning Japanese as a second language.

This site also posts the latest information on my pet project, a once a month plant swap that takes place every 1st Tuesday at Kaiser High School from 4-7pm.